Taiwan Quick Take

STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA

■ HOLIDAYS

Chiang holidays cancelled

The Ministry of the Interior announced yesterday the cancellation of the anniversaries of former dictator Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) birthday and death as national memorial days. Interior Minister Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) said in a press statement released by the ministry yesterday that the Cabinet has approved a motion proposed by the ministry to discontinue the two memorial days, and the approval took effect yesterday. Both days were listed as national holidays by the former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) regime. Lee said as Chiang was a controversial figure who rule during the past authoritarian regime, the dates should no longer be commemorated.

■ GOVERNMENT

No Chinese spirits allowed

The government currently has no plans to allow liquor from China to be imported, Executive Yuan Secretary General Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said yesterday. Chen was referring to a United Daily News report,which quote People First Party Legislator Lin Hui-kuan (林惠官) as saying the day before that the Bureau of Foreign Trade, under pressure from officials and alcohol importers, is considering allowing a "small quantity" of Chinese spirits to be imported.